Angola: The military activities of the Front for the Liberation of the Cabinda Enclave (FLEC), including recruitment of soldiers, targetting of civilians, torture or execution of prisoners

FLEC is "split into many factions which are currently operating within the enclave[Cabinda]: the FLEC-FAC (FLEC-Cabindan Armed Forces) and the FLEC-Renovada. Both number about 1,5000-2000 (Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers 19 Apr. 1999). Several sources indicate that the Front for the Liberation of the Cabinda Enclave (FLEC) has been involved in the recruitment of soldiers, including child soldiers (Televisao Publica de Angola 5 July 1999; Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers

According to Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, "a number of different sources have stated that the Front for the Liberation of the Cabinda Enclave also recruited children into their forces. The FLEC-FAC was reported to have children as young as eight years of age among their ranks and that 30-40 per cent of them are girls. A similar situation is believed to exist in the breakaway FLEC-Renovada" (19 Apr. 1999).

Amnesty International reported in 1998 that FLEC groups had been accused of abducting minors for military purposes (AI Apr. 1998). According to the same report,  "the government has on a few occasions accused FLEC groups of killing government supporters (AI Apr. 1998).

Another Amnesty International report states that "supporters of another FLEC faction allegedly killed teacher Mateus Gomes at his school in June 1998 then decapitated his body. Mateus Gomes had reportedly refused to teach their children" (ibid., Feb. 1999).

For detailed information on FLEC military activities, abductions and killings please consult the Human Rights Watch report, Angola Unravels: The Rise and Fall of the Lusaka Peace Process, pages 41-42.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please see the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Amnesty International. February 1999. Angola: Human Rights - The Gateway to Peace. (AI Index: AFR 12/01/99). London: Amnesty International.

_____. April 1998. Angola: Extrajudicial Executions and Torture in Cabinda. (AI Index: AFR/12/02/98)

Associated Press (AP). 22 March 1999. "Portugal Says Four Foreigners Kidnapped in Angola are Well." (NEXIS)

Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers. 19 April 1999. "Angola."

Human Rights Watch [New York]. September 1999. Angola Unravels: The Rise and Fall of the Lusaka Peace Process. New York: Human Rights Watch.

Televisao Publica de Angola. [Luanda in Portuguese]. 5 July 1999. "Angola: Cabinda Separatists Reportedly 'Press-Ganging' Young People" (BBC Summary 6 July. 1999/NEXIS)

Additional Sources Consulted

[London]. 1998 - 1999.